Chapter 23

           Therainynighthadusheredinacold,mistymorning—half-frost,half-drizzle—andtemporarybrookscrossedourpath,gurglingfromtheuplands.Myfeetwerethoroughlywetted;Iwascrossandlow;exactlythehumoursuitedformakingthemostofthesedisagreeablethings.Weenteredthefarmhousebythekitchenway,toascertainwhetherMr.Heathcliffwerereallyabsent;becauseIputslightfaithinhisownaffirmation.

           Josephseemedsittinginasortofelysiumalone,besidearoaringfire;aquartofaleonthetablenearhim,bristlingwithlargepiecesoftoastedoat-cake;andhisblack,shortpipeinhismouth.CatherinerantothehearthtowarmherselfIaskedifthemasterwasin?Myquestionremainedsolongunanswered,thatIthoughttheoldmanhadgrowndeaf,andrepeateditlouder.

           "Na-ay!"hesnarled,orratherscreamedthroughhisnose."Na-ay!yahmuhgoabackwhearyahcoomfrough."

           "Joseph!"criedapeevishvoice,simultaneouslywithme,fromtheinnerroom."HowoftenamItocallyou?Thereareonlyafewredashesnow.Joseph!comethismoment."

           Vigorouspuffs,andaresolutestareintothegratedeclaredhehadnoearforthisappeal.ThehousekeeperandHaretonwereinvisible;onegoneonanerrand,andtheotherathiswork,probably.WeknewLinton’stones,andentered.

           "Oh,Ihopeyou’lldieinagarret!starvedtodeath,"saidtheboy,mistakingourapproachforthatofhisnegligentattendant.

           Hestopped,onobservinghiserror;hiscousinflewtohim.